Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson voiced
his serious concern recently following the publication of new
figures which reveal huge variations in the amount spent on cancer
patients in different areas of the country.

The new statistics reveal huge discrepancies in funding between
Primary Care Trust areas: each cancer sufferer in Peterborough
receives just £8576 a year – by contrast, cancer sufferers in
Nottingham receive £17,028 a year and Knowsley in Merseyside £16819
a year.

The figures may help to explain not
only why inequalities in cancer death rates have widened during
Labour’s ten years in power, but also why access to drugs for the
treatment of cancer varies so much across the country.

Mr Jackson said:

"The Labour Government’s own
statistics have revealed a huge disparity in funding for cancer
services. I very much value the hard work by doctors and nurses in
Peterborough, but it is being hampered by Whitehall officials who
are distributing health funding across the country unfairly.

"This is yet another example of
Ministers mismanaging the NHS, taking no account of the needs of
cancer patients, and creating a two-tier service.

Stewart
Jackson was elected in May 2005 to represent the
Peterborough constituency in the House of Commons.
To find out more about him, his views and activities, visit his
website at
www.stewartjackson.org.uk